Introduces significant human questions and emphasizes understanding the meaning and methods of philosophy. Includes human condition, knowledge, freedom, history, ethics, the future, and religion. This course is a state guaranteed transfer course GT-AH3. Three credits.

This course is an introduction to philosophical questions as treated by thinkers from a worldwide range of philosophical traditions. The course will explore issues drawn from at least three traditional areas of philosophical investigation. These areas of philosophy include the following: logic (reasoning and argumentation), ethics (moral theory and its applications), metaphysics (the study of the basic properties of reality), epistemology (the theory of knowledge), philosophy of religion (arguments for the existence of God, etc.) aesthetics (the theory of beauty and its manifestation in art and nature) and political philosophy (the study of principles of governing human society). In each case, philosophical problems will be discussed through the an encounter with both Western and Non-Western thinkers and schools of thought. NOTE: Prerequisites: ENG 100 with grade of C or better. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to: Identify the basic elements of sound reasoning and make a cogent argument for philosophical position. Recognize and explain the basic issues involved with significant philosophical problems as presented in the course. Identify and demonstrate an understanding of the major philosophical ideas or theories that address the philosophical problems presented in the course. Critically appraise the arguments of philosophers by offering an account of their strengths and/or weaknesses. Compare and contrast the works of two philosophers from different world traditions on a specific philosophical topic.